Judge likely to keep WOTUS at appeals level

A panel of three judges on the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati signaled Tuesday that they are likely to keep the cases surrounding the Waters of the United States rule at their level rather than send them back to district courts as challengers to the decision have asked, E&E News reported Tuesday.

Opponents including 18 states plus agricultural and industry groups have filed cases in various district courts and argued that the cases belong at that level, while the Obama administration has urged the 6th Circuit to keep the cases under its jurisdiction.

"The 6th Circuit is expected to rule quickly on the jurisdiction issue in the coming months," E&E News said.